Monetizing as a hobbyist

Mark Thompson

I make very little money from my hobby. The money I do make has been through :-
A) on line sales using stock websites and Red Bubble where people can buy my work. Neither have been very successful but that's because I dont spend all my time promoting my work. If you have the time and the knowledge the only way to make money is to promote your works and find an angle that is attractive to buyers,
B) Websites where I earn fractions of pennies every time someone views my photos for more than 5 seconds. There are two of these websites that I know of. One of them is swamped with people posting crap they have copied off the internet hoping to get rich, the other is fairly new but is a great website for photographers, but getting the views on your photos comes down to how much time you spend interacting and promoting yourself. In a year I make enough money to pay for the membership of the website and have enough left over to buy a few beers, that's it.

Nisah Cheatham

I have tried hard to not actively monetize my hobby. I don't like hustle culture and don't want to spoil the thing that I do as walking meditation and a creative mental health outlet. I do know a photographer or two (and my mom) that sold well at local artist fairs, but it becomes a lot more work. You need to have an inventory, booth material, pay the fair fees, etc. Its not passive. It could be one (of multiple) income stream if you are looking to make a living. But that being said, there are a few passive ways that I keep up with:

1 - fineartamerica.com (aka pixels.com) - you can set your prices and the types of products that you offer. There is a built-in marketplace for people that just go to that site to browse, but you can also promote your own market if you care to. Some people make regular money there, but I choose to just let the random sales bolster my confidence. When someone you don't know buys a print of your work - its very uplifting. Once or twice a year and I'm happy.

2 - Adobe stock - there are tons of microstock agencies out there, but my personal experience has me dropping all others. If you happen to shoot the kind of stuff that works for them, Arcangel Creative pays nicely.

3 - long shot - I've had at least two occasions where just being social and "being out there" has led to some random paid thing. The best example is when Expedia bought a travel photo community that I was active on and they paid me to organize and run a photowalk for the Expedia Chicago employees.

Tony Kelts

I am trying payhip. I have views but no sales. I know my photos are getting better but no money.

Ken Deckinger

I've uploaded photos to Adobe Stock before: https://contributor.stock.adobe.com/

Easy to do. It was a long time ago and I didn't put much effort into it. But I made $6.70 🤪.
I think that with some deliberate thought and effort it could be an opportunity. Worth looking into!

Sarbajit Chakraborty

I have been wondering this for a long time. I refuse to use stock photo websites, cause it seems like that's just a generic photo that can be used for a generic purpose (just my opinion, not throwing shade on anyone). I have participated in local photography exhibits, but haven't sold anything yet. Online sales, especially if you don't spend money on Instagram, or even more extreme, you're not on Instagram or YouTube, seems almost impossible. I'm contemplating may be setting up a stall at a local farmers market and see where it takes me.

I know sales is not a good judge of quality, but hey, I'm human and do like some validation and coffee money!!

Nisah Cheatham

For those that are contemplating uploading to stock for some passive sales here are two interesting resources:
* https://brutallyhonestmicrostock.com/
* https://backyardsilver.com/

Both sites blog about their earnings and pitfalls and trends.

Nate Riggins

Hi Mallory! I have some photos in a gallery in Estes Park, CO where I sell most of my prints. I've also built relationships with companies like Konica-Minolta where they'll purchase my images for marketing purposes. I'm also doing some side jobs for photography and drone work. I did some work for a resort down in the Turks & Caicos and some other real estate work. Posting to social media also brings in a little bit of money, but not much. I've found that trying to sell online really doesn't work that well for me. I have sold some framed prints on social media by making a post about them, but that's about it. Everything that actually worked out for me came from building relationships with potential customers first.

Ralph Berrett

This advice is for people who are thinking about becoming professionals. If you are an amateur, buy whatever gear you want. This is my take, so don’t hate me or @ me.
It’s an old joke. A fellow goes to New York to attend a concert but gets lost. He spots another fellow who’s carrying a violin case. “Sir, can you tell me how to get to Carnegie Hall?” The musician smiles and says, “Practice, practice, practice.”
Your first 10,000 photographs are your worst" is a quote attributed to Henri Cartier-Bresson, a French photographer considered the father of modern photojournalism. The quote is often interpreted as meaning that it takes a lot of practice to become a good photographer.
I would recommend trying adult school or junior college for the photo programs. Your very important thing is to get your basics down, exposure, and how to use the camera manually so you control the camera and the camera doesn't control you.
It does not matter if you shoot auto but you should understand what the camera is doing and how to change your exposure if the camera is wrong.
I started in high school, then went to a junior college, then a four-year college, majoring in photography and photojournalism. I started working part-time as a photojournalist at 19 and covered my first NFL game. I have worked for Scripps League, Lee Enterprises, and Pulitzer Inc. I started my career in photography in 1983. I still do journalism, but I also do sports and commercial arts. I've also added a video to my repertoire.
There will be a lot of people who recommend watching YouTube. YouTube is an okay source, but sometimes it gives inaccurate information. One that comes to mind is Ken Rockwell. A perfect example of that is his take on raw not being any different from JPEGs. That is just plain bad advice and wrong.
As you take more photos, you'll develop your style and technique.
Don’t be afraid to work with people who have more experience than you. It is a good chance to learn and expand your knowledge.
The other thing I recommend is buying used camera equipment. When you buy brand-new gear, it depreciates as soon as you make the purchase. Much like a new car, as soon as you drive it off the lot. So, to use the car analogy, I don't view cameras as sports cars; I see them as work trucks. So what happens when you buy a new car it depreciates as soon as you leave the lot. The same can be said of a new camera. So, just because a new mirrorless camera comes out, that does not mean DSLRs stop working. I shoot the D5, D4s, and D3. The D5 is about $1200-1800, the Z9 is about $6000. My cameras work fine; I have no need to replace them. I own the 80-200mm f/2.8 AFS that costs $350-450. The 70-200mm f/2.8 Z costs about $3500. If the 70-200mm f/2.8 Z malfunctions, it will cost at least $500 to repair. If my 80-200mm f/2.8 AFS malfunctions, I will just replace it. Hell, I carry the 80-200mm f/2.8 ED for about $150 backup.
This is the lens I use and how I use it.
Nikkor 17-35mm F2.8 AF-S for large group shots, EP (environmental portraits) shots, and interior shots.
Nikkor 28-70mm F2.8 AF-S is good for sports, EP shots, group shots, and event shots.
Nikkor 80-200mm F2.8 AF-S candids, 3/4 portrait shots, and closeups. These lenses can be bought for $350-400 used as a piece. Nikkor 300mm F2.8 AF-I outdoor portraits, sports, events, airshows, and nature. Nikkor 200-500mm f5.6 VR sports, nature, and airshows. I actually own all these lenses.
You'll also learn how to use your equipment to its full potential. And you'll start to develop a better understanding of what makes a good photo.
So, if you're feeling discouraged by your first 10,000 photos, don't give up. Just keep practicing and learning, and eventually, you'll start to see improvement.

Last, some simple business tips.
A little ego is a good thing. Be confident while shooting; don’t sabotage yourself by apologizing for your skills or equipment. Avoid those awkward moments of silence. You want the client to feel good about your work, so they look forward to getting the final product. Take your time working with the client. Make three minor adjustments to the subject (clothing, jewelry, etc). after each pose. Show the images to the subject so you can get feedback and get them excited about the images. You want the client looking forward to the images, not dreading them. Don’t let the client see you sweat.

Have a plan for your shoots. Too many shooters don’t have a plan for what they are shooting.

Never take a job you don’t have the skills or means to complete. There is a difference between gaining experience on the job and trying to learn on the client’s dime.

Be organized with your kit, so don’t waste time during the setup at a shoot.

Always meet with the key people before a shoot so you are all on the same page. For example, weddings: Next, realize you and the DJ control the pace of the wedding, so you will need to talk to the DJ. Talk to the pastor, priest, or demon lord performing the wedding and what their rules are.

If a problem arises, adapt, overcome, and improvise. Be in charge, don’t panic.

Shoot what the client wants and also what you think he needs.

Marketing is very important. Things like Facebook, websites, and social media are important, but you are the most important factor in marketing. Go to where your clients are, such as business mixers, ribbon cuttings, and trade shows, introduce yourself, and pass out business cards and marketing material. Remember, social media is a double-edged sword, so don’t be stupid on it.

You are only as good as your worst shot. So don’t flood the client with everything, do tight edits. Keep your portfolio tight and up to date.

Kristian Pal

Honestly, forget online and forget generic photos. That has always been tough, but nowadays, with a completely saturated market plus AI, it is almost impossible. What could work is local with personal connection: photos of people or things they recognize and like. E.g. if you like to shoot sports or performing arts, ask at a sports club or theatre if you can come and shoot photos. Then give away digital images with lower res for free, but charge for high res, website usage and prints.

Bryan Diehl

I shoot for other realtors, for property owners, I have area businesses including resorts and restaurants that purchase my work for promotional use. I also sell my photos to individuals.
I found that once my skills were honed the market began to come to me. I gave away a lot of good images to tourist attractions and banks etc before people started looking for my work but it was worth it to develop a following.
I am not to a point where “professional” would be appropriate but it has become a good source of regular income… and a lot more rewarding than regular work!

Mallory Warner

@[Nisah Cheatham](cf53a09d-1eb6-45e0-b529-06e3bf21aaf4) Thanks, this is so helpful!

Mallory Warner

@[Mark Thompson](0666c39b-e58b-493e-8485-93b14e56af0e) Thanks for the suggestions!

Nisah Cheatham

@[Tony Kelts](05e3dfe8-455d-4b9a-a08d-8a6b97e33ed4) Don't equate lack of sales with lack of quality! It takes the perfect storm to convert some rando into a paying customer. ...and if there is no built in market to draw people in, it takes a lot more leg work to get the word out. On Pixels.com, I've twice sold shots that I thought, "I need to take that down. Its not my best and no one would buy it." Meanwhile, shots that I think are outstanding... crickets.

Tony Kelts

@[Nisah Cheatham](cf53a09d-1eb6-45e0-b529-06e3bf21aaf4) Exactly, All I can do is post them up.

Mallory Warner

@[Nisah Cheatham](cf53a09d-1eb6-45e0-b529-06e3bf21aaf4), this is my experience through other avenues as well. Sales numbers not a judge of photo quality.

Nisah Cheatham

@[Ken Deckinger](c3048578-7544-410e-a042-d00e6ec6333e) I've tried a few micro-stock sites, but only have stuff on Adobe. My mother had almost 900 photos uploaded and made a couple hundred $$ a year. These were photos of ranch hands holding tools, hay bailing, and other rural Montana scenes. Things that she took just to upload to stock sites. My general themes don't work well. Adobe is always telling me that I need releases because of some recognizable building or person. Of my sales 50% are from scenes that I took with 10 miles of my mom's house!

Ken Deckinger

@[Nisah Cheatham](cf53a09d-1eb6-45e0-b529-06e3bf21aaf4) interesting! I threw about 10 photos up and never looked again. Only one of the photos wasa ever downloaded. Didn't take it seriously but it's kinda a cool idea to upload hundreds to see what sticks. Makes sense to me that niche photos would be the ones that sell. Most of my street shots would likely not fly there if releases are required! :-)

Ian Hops

@[Ken Deckinger](c3048578-7544-410e-a042-d00e6ec6333e) i did the same at the begining i posted several pieces of my work on Adobe think i made the same in 3 years haha it is a joke really i done it for the love but after several friends convinced me to post on several stock sites i got an email saying my work never met the the criteria jokes now i concentrate on my website and my socials plus word of mouth and Calenders